Apple may have launch its newmovie download table service through the iTunes Storewith just four studios on board . But at least one Hollywood executive is n’t fazed by the lack of involution throughout the movie industriousness .
Of naturally , that executive director , Bob Iger , befall to be the chief executive officer of Disney , the company that owns the four studios who ’ve made more than 75 film uncommitted at iTunes .
“ We were the first in television , and now we ’re the first in movies . ” the Disney chief toldMacworld , referring tolast twelvemonth ’s launch of downloadable TV programming via iTunes . When Apple unveiled that feature , Disney provided the only five shows available at the iTunes Store . A little less than a year afterwards , iTunes now features 220 programs from 40 unlike networks .
iTunes plain off its first day in the movie business with 75 movies from Walt Disney Pictures , Pixar , Touchstone Pictures , and Miramax Films . Meeting with newsman after the event , Iger noted that other motion picture studio were watching to see how Apple ’s service went over with consumers .
“ The mother wit I get is that they industry is well cognisant of digital media and everyone is reckon for an opportunity , but at varying speed , ” Iger order .
It ’s no mystery that negotiations between Apple and the major film studioshave been strained , as the two sides discuss pricing and turn date for digital downloads .
novel releases will appear at iTunes the same solar day videodisc version of the motion picture pip retail shelf . Apple will sell these new tone ending for $ 12.99 as pre - orders and during the first hebdomad of availableness ; afterwards , they ’ll sell for $ 14.99 . In addition to new releases , the iTunes Store also offers a excerpt of honest-to-goodness moving-picture show as part of its Library offering — these are available for $ 9.99 .
“ We are perfectly comfortable with the pricing strategy , ” Iger said .
After purchasing Pixar earlier this year — a move that made Apple CEO Steve Jobs the enceinte individual shareholder at the entertainment company — Disney was anticipate to support Apple ’s maraud into the movie download business . However , analyst do n’t think it will be long before other studios come on board .
“ It was a no - brainer to get Disney , but you have to start somewhere , ” say Michael Gartenberg , JupiterResearch vice prexy and enquiry manager . “ Selling movies on iTunes is simply to big an chance for the studio apartment to omit . ”
Disney ’s Iger agrees with that assessment . “ We are the first , but we will be one of many very shortly , ” he said .
